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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a ballot option to not vote for any candidate or not |
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vote for or against a proposition. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 52.0685 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 52.0685. OPTION TO AFFIRMATIVELY CHOOSE NOT TO VOTE. |
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(a) Voters shall be given the opportunity to select: |
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(1) "None of the above" instead of voting for a |
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candidate appearing on the ballot or the list of write-in |
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candidates for each race; or |
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(2) "ABSTAIN FROM VOTE" instead of voting for or |
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against a measure. |
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(b) A vote under this section does not count for the purpose |
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of determining which candidate received a majority of votes or |
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whether a measure may be enacted. |
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(c) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and |
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manner of placing the options required by this section on the |
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ballot. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 52.070(a) and (b), Election Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A shape for voting shall be printed to the left of: |
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(1) each candidate's name on a ballot; and |
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(2) the option "None of the above" for each office to |
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be voted on in the election. |
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(b) Immediately below "OFFICIAL BALLOT," the following |
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instruction shall be printed: "Vote for the candidate of your |
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choice in each race by placing an 'X' or filling in the shape beside |
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the candidate's name or beside 'None of the above'." |
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SECTION 3. Sections 52.073(a), (b), and (c), Election Code, |
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are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) On a ballot on which a proposition is to appear, "FOR" |
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and, below it, "AGAINST" and, below it, "ABSTAIN FROM VOTE" shall be |
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printed to the left of the proposition. |
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(b) A brace or other suitable device shall be printed to |
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indicate to which proposition each "FOR," [and] "AGAINST," and |
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"ABSTAIN FROM VOTE" applies. |
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(c) A square for voting shall be printed to the left of each |
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"FOR," [and] each "AGAINST,[.]" and each "ABSTAIN FROM VOTE." |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |